Stormy Satisfaction (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 11)

Ashley’s attendants helped her get into her wedding gown.

The past three months had been a mixed bag of frustration and wonderful—but mostly wonderful.

Ashley shared the frustration of the entire town concerning Cindy Trollinger, who was still at large. Every lead the authorities researched fizzled out. Trollinger had been in Prague last month. When Interpol had arrived at the place she’d been renting, they hadn’t find her but found two corpses instead. But Ashley knew that Jason, Jena, Easton Black, and all the members of Shannon’s Elite would never give up the search for Destiny’s Most Wanted.

I shouldn’t be thinking about Trollinger, especially today. Living with Nic and Sylas in Phoebe’s rental house had been wonderful, but this evening they would be spending the night in their new home that Lucas had designed and built for them.

Tonight is my honeymoon.

With Phoebe only coming into the office one day a week, she, Nic, and Sylas couldn’t leave town. Even with Erin doing such a terrific job, they needed to stay close because of the heavy caseload the firm was balancing.

Ashley had to promise Phoebe she would take off the entire weekend. The only reason Phoebe hadn’t argued more was because of the trip to Hawaii that Nic and Sylas had planned for her later in the year.

She actually was glad that her honeymoon was going to be in Destiny. She was excited to begin her new life in her new home with her new husbands.

She stood in front of the full-length mirror and stared at her reflection. The off-the-shoulder gown with its beautiful beading was elegant and beyond timeless. “Wow.”

“Oh my God, Ash. You look absolutely stunning.” Phoebe sat next to Erica.

“So do you.”

“You did a wonderful job picking dresses for the four of us. No one can even tell that Erica and I are pregnant.” Phoebe was five months along, and Erica was six. But Doc and Paris estimated that their delivery dates would be close together since twins usually came early. “And just look how glamorous Jena and Desirae are in theirs, too.”

“And me, too,” Jena’s daughter said, twirling around. Kimmie was her flower girl.

“You look very pretty, baby.” Jena kissed Kimmie on the forehead.

Sylas’s mother—Ashley’s soon-to-be mother-in-law—entered the chapel’s dressing room. Brenda Hayes had blue eyes, just like Sylas’s.

“My goodness, ladies. You all look so beautiful, but especially my Ashley.”

Everyone in town had taken to Sylas’s parents and his two younger brothers.

“Let me take a good look at you, Mom.” She grabbed Brenda’s hand and twirled her around. “I think you may steal the show today in this dress.”

“I love the color orchid, sweetheart. Have you picked something old to wear yet?” Brenda asked her.

“Oh my gosh. I forgot about all those things. I need three more—old, borrowed, and blue. My dress should count as new, right?”

“Yes, sweetheart. I can help with the old part.” Brenda brought out the most beautiful necklace and earrings she’d ever seen. “I’m glad you chose orchid and white for your special day. These match your colors.”

She took the jewelry. “Are these alexandrite?”

“Yes. My colors were also orchid and white. Jim bought the necklace and earrings for me to wear on our wedding day. I’d like to give them to you now to wear for your day. That is if you like them.”

“I absolutely love them, Mom.” She hugged her.

“Good.” Brenda wiped her eyes. “I had three boys and now I have a daughter. Ashley, I want you to keep them until you have a daughter of your own.”

“Our first tradition. I love it.” She put on the earrings and necklace and glanced at her reflection again. “They’re perfect. Thank you so much, Mom.”

“We only have five minutes,” Jena said. “And you still need something blue and something borrowed.”

“Here’s my pinkie ring, Ash.” Phoebe handed it to her. “You can borrow it. Just put it on your right hand.”

They could hear the organ begin to play.

Ashley started to panic. “Blue? Blue? There’s nothing in this room that’s blue.”